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Waikiki Neighborhood Board Meeting May 2021 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 6/8/2021.

With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9

May 2021 Minutes

WAIKIKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 9

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2021

WAIKIKI COMMUNITY CENTER

WEBEX

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Robert Finley called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. A quorum was established with 14 members present. Note: This 17-member Board requires nine (9) members to establish quorum and to take official board action.

Board Members Present: Raiyan Rafid, Jerome Bautista, Robert Boyack, Helen Carroll, Louis Erteschik, Robert Finley, Mark Garrity, Kathryn Henski, Jeffrey Merz, John Nigro, Melissa Filek, Mark Smith, Kenneth Wilder, Michael Brown.

Board Members Absent: Jacob Wiencek, Lisa Cabanero.

Guests: Lieutenant Cyrus Hanuna (Honolulu Police Department); Dominic Dias (Board of Water Supply); Nola Miyasaki (Mayor Rick Blangiardi's office); Council Chair Tommy Waters; Senator Sharon Moriwaki; Maigee Chang (Representative Adrian Tam's office); Scott Glenn (Governor David Ige's office); Rick Egged (Waikiki Improvement Association); Randal Wakumoto and Cami Kloster (Department of Facility Maintenance); Alison Schaefers, Tommy Penrose, Jean Cox, Midori Trent, Denise Boisevert, Chit Leong, John Montalbaro, Dave Moskowitz, Matthew Morriarty (Residents); Casey Ishitani (Neighborhood Assistant). Name was not included if not legible on the attendance sheet.

VACANCY

Sub-District 2: There were no nominations or volunteers.

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): HFD representatives submitted a report and safety tip. Information can be found at http://www.honolulu.gov/hfd.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. Emergency: Henski requested updates regarding an emergency on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 and the HFD representative responded that there was a fire at 2550 Kuhio Avenue.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): HPD Lieutenant Cyrus Hanuna submitted a report and safety tip. More information can be found at https://www.honolulupd.org/.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Skateboards: Smith requested countermeasures to residents skateboarding on sidewalks.

2. Bodycams: A resident inquired if HPD officers are required to wear bodycams and Lieutenant Hanuna responded that Waikiki officers do. Bodycam usage is dependent on the District.

3. Noise Complaints: Resident Tommy Penrose raised concerns regarding loud mufflers in Waikiki.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): Dominic Dias of BWS reported that there were no main breaks and that there were no current construction projects. BWS is encouraging residents to conserve water. More information can be found at https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/conservation.

RESIDENTS' / COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Newsstands: A resident raised concerns regarding litter and alcohol consumption in City and County of Honolulu newsstands.

Crime: A resident requested updates regarding a proposed Three Strikes ruling for criminals in Waikiki.

Disabled Residents: Henski requested services for disabled residents to access vaccines and medication. Filek responded that https://www.drivehui.com/ has such services.

PUBLIC EVENTS

There were no events submitted.

APPLICATIONS FOR LIQUOR LICENSES

Free Spirits Special Event, Thursday, May 20, 2021 and Friday, May 21, 2021 at International Market Place

ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHERS

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative: Director of Customer Service Nola Miyasaki reported the following.

1. 7-11: Board requested updates regarding the 7-11 at 1901 Kalakaua Avenue. HPD District 6 (Waikiki) officers have been posted at various times. District 6's Community Policing Team (CPT) has also reached out to the management of 7-Eleven stores. A Neighborhood Security Watch is also in the process of starting at neighboring 1911 Kalakaua Avenue (The Kalakauan). On March 25, 2021, a mentally disturbed male entered the 7-Eleven store at 1901 Kalakaua Avenue and harassed the workers. HPD officers detained the male and used non-lethal force (Conducted Energy Weapon) to apprehend the suspect. Office of Housing (HOU) was told by HIS that the outreach team continues to go to the area to offer services.

2. Abandoned Bus Stop: Board requested that the abandoned bus stop near the Queen Kapiolani Hotel on Lemon Road and Kapahulu Avenue be removed as homeless individuals are using it as makeshift housing. Department of Transportation Services (DTS) responded that in August 2021, TheBus Route E (Ewa Beach/Waipahu/Waikiki) terminus will be relocated from Monsarrat Avenue to its previous location on Kapahulu Avenue fronting the Honolulu Zoo parking lot. The former bus stop shelter will be reactivated as the Route E terminus for use by TheBus riders. The Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) continues to enforce the Stored Property Ordinance for this location. HOU continues to send outreach to the area bus stop. DTS is aware of the bus stop as well, and has said they may be starting work there in August 2021.

3. Newsstand and Publication Racks: Board members and residents requested that the newsstands in Waikiki be removed as homeless individuals are using them as makeshift housing. Customer Services Department (CSD) responded that 32 rack enclosures have been removed from the Waikiki area in accordance with the Revised Ordinance of Honolulu (ROH). Two (2) lotteries on Friday, May 28, 2021 and Wednesday, June 2, 2021 will permit users to occupy and use these rack enclosure spaces. All spaces are paid for by permittees to display their inserts with product. In November 2021 a supplemental lottery will be held and a determination will be made whether a rack enclosure could be deemed eligible for removal at that time.

4. Ala Wai Recreation Center: A resident requested repairs to the canoe shelters at Ala Wai Recreation Center. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) responded that Maintenance Support Services branch will be reviewing the damaged area to see what can be done in-house with the replacement of metal pole. They will also be checking the extent of the damage to the gutter system. The Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is considering options for the Ala Wai Community Park Clubhouse renovation.

5. City Scandals: Board requested countermeasures from the Ethics Department to avoid scandals, such as the ones involving HPD and DPP. Mayor Blangiardi strongly condemned the scandals that have recently plagued City and County of Honolulu departments.

6. Police Chief: Board inquired if Mayor Blangiardi is involved with HPD Chief Susan Ballard's successor and the Mayor's Office responded that he has no authority over the successor.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Newsstands: Nigro inquired why newsstands are necessary and Director Miyasaki responded that if the stands are not used for two (2) cycles they are removed. She will review their usage to determine viability.

2. Bus Stops: Filek inquired if all bus stops require a shelter.

3. 7-11: Resident Penrose raised concerns regarding security camera angles near 7-11 on 1901 Kalakaua Boulevard.

4. Noise: A resident raised concerns regarding the noise level of street performers.

Council Chair Tommy Waters: Council Chair Waters reported the following.

• Budget: The American Rescue Plan will be used to supplement the City and County of Honolulu budget for economic recovery.

• 1615 Ala Wai Boulevard: The property was considered for condemnation by the City and County of Honolulu.

• Scooters: Council Chair Waters introduced a Resolution to limit electronic scooter rentals.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Scooters: Smith reported an accident involving an electronic scooter. Council Chair Waters responded that he will meet with DTS Director Roger Morton to discuss options regarding insurance for scooters.

2. Noise: Erteschik raised concerns regarding amplified speakers used by street performers. A resident raised concerns regarding consistent screaming near King Kalakaua Plaza.

3. HPD: A resident raised concerns regarding HPD accountability.

4. Beach Replenishment: A resident raised concerns regarding the colorization of sand for beach replenishment.

Community Benefits Program: Council Chair Waters reported that a proposal for the Ala Moana Transit Plan may include affordable housing benefits with each new development. Chair Finley reported that proposals approved by City Council may be brought to the Board for consideration. Merz requested that community maintenance be included. Council Chair Waters raised that all proposals are dependent on Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART).

Senator Sharon Moriwaki: Senator Moriwaki reported the following.

1. 2021 Legislative Session: The Legislative Session has ended. Governor David Ige has until Monday, June 21, 2021 to sign or veto the Bills.

2. Crime: A proposal to offer either imprisonment or treatment for repeat offenders in Waikiki has been rescinded. Funds have been allocated for enforcement at bridges and harbors.

3. Emergency Services: State emergency services are being transferred to City and County of Honolulu emergency services.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Meetings: Chair Finley requested a Zoom meeting between Senator Moriwaki, HPD and Waikiki Improvement Association to update residents regarding concerns.

2. Ala Wai Small Board Harbor: Resident Penrose inquired and Senator Moriwaki confirmed that monies incurred from enforcement at Ala Wai Small Board Harbor would be used toward the harbor.

Representative Adrian Tam: Representative Tam reported the following.

• Budget: Monies have been allocated for the Waikiki Master Plan, the Waikiki Aquarium and public schools.

• Bills Passed: Bills passed for consideration include those allowing minors in homeless shelters and tracking robo-calls.

Governor David Ige's Representative: State of Hawaii Chief Energy Officer Scott Glenn reported the following.

• Vaccination: Inter-county vaccination has begun.

• Tourism: Most visitors to Hawaii have been from the continental United States.

• Bill Testimony: Residents may submit testimony regarding Bills at https://governor.hawaii.gov/.

• Noise: Regarding noise concerns, the Department of Health (DOH) will be consulted.

Waikiki Improvement Association (WIA): WIA President Rick Egged reported that he will inquire about beach replenishment issues regarding sand discoloration. Egged also raised concerns regarding House Bill (HB) 862 which could increase hotel room tax to 30 percent while hotels are at 50 percent capacity. Egged raised that Waikiki is still struggling to curb illegal vacation rentals.

Henski Moved and Smith Seconded to support a Veto of HB862.

Discussion: Chair Finley raised concerns regarding the feasibility of HB862 and other tourism taxes. Egged added that the proposed tax will not be exclusively beneficial to Waikiki. Egged also stated that testimony may also be submitted to https://governor.hawaii.gov/.

The Motion PASSED, 13-0-1 (Aye: Rafid, Bautista, Boyack, Carroll, Erteschik, Finley, Garrity, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Smith, Wilder, Brown; Nay: None; Abstain: Filek).

Federal Representative Ed Case: There was no representative.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Regular Meeting Minutes, April 13, 2021: Chair Finley inquired if there were any amendments to the Minutes. A resident raised that he did not report homeless individuals in the newsstands.

Hearing no objection, the Minutes were ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 14-0-0 (Aye: Rafid, Bautista, Boyack, Carroll, Erteschik, Finley, Garrity, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Smith, Wilder, Brown, Filek; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

NEW BOARD BUSINESS

City Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) Storm Water Quality Division: Randal Wakumoto and Cami Kloster of DFM reported that a new proposed system would account for fees at private properties from storm water runoff from impermeable surfaces instead of property taxation. Vacant properties would not be charged. There will be community meetings in May and June 2021. More information can be found at https://www.stormwaterutilityoahu.org/.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. Fees: Erteschik inquired if there were current fees and Wakumoto responded that there were none and that costs are offset by property taxes.

REPORTS

Treasurer's Report: The remaining budget for the Waikiki Neighborhood Board was $148.33.

Sub District 1 Report: No report was given.

Sub District 2 Report: No report was given.

Sub District 3 Report: No report was given.

Chair Report: This item was deferred due to facility closure.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The next Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9 meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.

View this meeting on Olelo Channel 49 at 9:00 p.m. on the 4th Tuesday each month, and at 6:00 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. View online at: http://olelo.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=30

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m. due to facility closure.

Submitted by: Casey Ishitani, Public Relations

Reviewed by: Lindon Valenciano, Neighborhood Assistant

Final Review:

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Waikiki Neighborhood Board Meeting May 2021 Minutes

Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9

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